Chula Vista looks for ways to reduce stray pet populations

New regulations could include mandatory spay and neuter

Chula Vista  South County pet owners soon could face new regulations for their dogs and cats, including a mandate to spay or neuter their animals if they are lost and later impounded.

The Chula Vista Animal Care Facility is looking for ways to address a growing number of euthanizations, which currently total more than 3,000 a year.

Typically, if an owner decides he or she no longer wants an impounded animal or no one comes to pick it up, adoptable animals are spayed and neutered at taxpayer’s expense. Those animals that are not qualified for adoption are often euthanized.

“We are looking for alternatives to reduce the animal intakes at the shelter,” said Mariya Anton, manager of the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility. “One of the alternatives that we are looking into is a mandatory spay and neuter (program), which is used in other jurisdictions, as well as many other alternatives.”

Councilman Rudy Ramirez has hosted three public meetings in recent months looking for ways to address the high number of stray cats and dogs in the city. About 30 to 40 people attended each meeting, he said.

Options that have been discussed include requiring owners to spay or neuter their pet either the first or second time it gets loose and is impounded. That would be expected to reduce the births of stray cats and dogs in the city, and eventually the number of euthanizations. Another idea is to require pet owners to microchip their pets.

The regulations would be enforced when Chula Vista owners come to retrieve their impounded pets. City staff is considering a plan that would requiring microchipping for the first time an animal is impounded, at a cost of about $15, and a mandatory spay or neuter on the second offense.

“I know it’s going to be a hot issue,” Ramirez said. “People are very passionate on all sides of this. but I think we’re going to reach a consensus on the best approach for Chula Vista.”

The Chula Vista Animal Shelter’s funding was trimmed from about $2.3 million to $2.1 million for this fiscal year.

Chula Vista provides animal-control services to neighboring cities. About 1,473 animals were brought to the shelter from National City last year, for example.

Contracts with Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove and National City require those cities to pay Chula Vista for the service. Fees for euthanizing impounded animals are included in those contracts.

National City Police Lt. Jose Tellez estimated in May the city paid Chula Vista about $13,000 in 2010.

Any regulation on spaying and neutering and microchips would only apply to residents of Chula Vista.

Anton said a cost estimate is not available for how much a mandatory spay or neuter would cost because options are still being discussed. The fees to retrieve lost pets would vary depending on the number of days at the facility and whether it has a license.

“It wouldn’t be placing regulations for all pet owners,” Ramirez said. “These are for animals that are repeatedly impounded. We’re really looking at ways to focus on and weed out irresponsible pet owners.”

The City Council could consider a measure on the issue within 60 to 90 days.